Rites (1997 - )

McFarlane, Jim: Miranda Coney and Albert David in a study for Stephen Page's 'Rites', 1997

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Rites, a joint production by Bangarra Dance Theatre and the Australian Ballet, premiered at the Melbourne Festival on 29 October 1997 at the State Theatre, Victorian Arts Centre. Commissioned by Ross Stretton in his first year as artistic director of the Australian Ballet, the work was choreographed by Stephen Page to the Stravinsky score The Rite of Spring and performed by dancers from both Bangarra and the Australian Ballet. It had designs by Jennifer Irwin (costumes) and Peter England (sets) and was lit by Mark Howett.

The work is in six parts: 'Awakening', 'Earth', 'Wind', 'Fire', 'Water' and 'Dreaming'. In program notes for the inaugural season Page wrote: 'Rites is an exploration of the natural forces which determine our ancient landscape'. He also clearly saw the work a step towards reconciliation by writing: 'I hope this work challenges some of the current preconceptions about indigenous peoples and propels us all along the path of reconcilation'.

Rites was performed by the Australian Ballet and Bangarra at New York's City Centre in 1999, and at the Chatelet, Paris and Sadler's Wells, London in 2008.

Bibliography:

For more about the production of Rites see Getting Together: Bangarra Dance Theatre and the Australian Ballet' in National Library of Australia News, August 2001.

See also: Australian Ballet, The ; Bangarra Dance Theatre ; Coney, Miranda ; Page, Stephen ; Stretton, Ross

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Research Materials

Ephemera | Oral history | Picture | All

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Other resources

Find more about Rites in:

• Internet - Google
• Articles - New York Public Library Dance Collection
• Pictures - Picture Australia